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Independence day this year has a special resonance. A new parliament has been seated and the PTI is preparing to assume governing responsibilities at the centre and in more than one province for the first time.

The democratic process may be wobblier than it has been at most other points over the last decade, but democratic continuity can help create the space necessary for its strengthening.

Independence Day is an important reminder of the distance that has been travelled since 1947 as well as the many miles that have yet to be covered in order to achieve Mr Jinnah’s vision of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Pakistan.

Despite deep political divisions and institutional strife, there is an important consensus in Pakistan today: the country must hold regular elections and be governed by the Constitution. With three major parties dominating, there is also a degree of choice available to the voter.

Yet, a mixed bag of incremental gains and repeated setbacks does not make for a welcome democratic picture. One of the key problems to which there has been no solution apparent over the decades is institutional encroaching on the terrain of other institutions.

While institutions need vigorous oversight and checks and balances, the mechanisms must come from within the democratic system. A controlled democracy wherein other institutions circumscribe the authority and writ of an elected government and parliament, and impose their own policy prescriptions and priorities, is a recipe for enduring conflict.

Perhaps the PTI as a new governing party that does not have a history of institutional conflict will be able to strive for a rebalancing of the constitutional, democratic order. Whether well-intentioned or otherwise, interference by other institutions in the functioning of a government and parliament destabilises multiple facets of national life.

Incoming prime minister Imran Khan could consider inviting the superior judiciary and the military leadership to a national dialogue on respecting institutional boundaries and constraints. Clearly, business as usual must not be allowed to continue.

The civilian leadership, the security establishment and the superior judiciary tend to individually behave in a manner that suggests all fault lies with the others. Certainly, a service-oriented, publicly accountable civilian leadership can gradually create the circumstances for the installation of true civilian supremacy as the Constitution mandates and the founding father envisioned.

But there is a strong perception that the other institutions also need to cultivate within an unflinching commitment to democratic rule. As various phases of civilian rule in the country have demonstrated, a government that must constantly worry about the security of its tenure is simply unable to give its best to addressing the profound governance challenges that have endured and multiplied.

Democratic rule — true democratic rule — is not a gift that the country must wait to receive when deemed worthy of it; democratic rule is an inalienable right of each and every citizen of Pakistan.

On DawnNews

Comments (15) Closed

Shahid

Aug 14, 2018 08:58am

Every problem has its root cause(s). Instead of blaming this, that and the other, better look at real reasons as to why such undemocratic problem persists? Or accept we are not fit for democracy b/c we did not prepare the ground for it; essentially by investing in education to enlighten voters so that they can recognize qualities of a genuine leader and become courageous enough to reject the abounding fakes. Simply put we have not invested in system of education to equip voters and voters to be with tools of practical societal politics for collective good and not what we have something superficial in the named of democracy. What kind of democracy it is where many-of-one-family easily become law makers, unelected lawmakers for special seats, women and minorities, etc.?

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Aleem

Aug 14, 2018 10:03am

Agree 100%. Democracy is a means to achieve goal of prosperous country and should not be used as excuse to do corruption and loot the country and should not be a vehicle of incompetence and nepotism as shown by previous democratic governments who felt above accountability but blamed everything on other institutions.

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Najeeb Khan

Aug 14, 2018 10:08am

"As various phases of civilian rule in the country have demonstrated, a government that must constantly worry about the security of its tenure is simply unable to give its best to addressing the profound governance challenges that have endured and multiplied." Yet the ministers and senior government functionaries have no problem in robbing and plundering the national wealth for their personal gains. They should be worried about their tenure if all they are using it for is to rob and mismanage.

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Asad

Aug 14, 2018 10:38am

The editorial’s content and tone are a poignant reminder that Pakistan will only prosper once the constitution is supreme.

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Amir Ali Khan

Aug 14, 2018 10:39am

Running a country democratically is like walking a path paved with many minefields where even a single wrong step by any institution can be harmful to democracy. While the government of the day leads the way, opposition has a right to criticize when and where necessary. It will have to act like a ' good guide '. Only good governance can discourage " institutional encroaching ", and good governance can be achieved only by strictly adhering to constitution and abiding by the laws. Trouble starts when the rulers and heads of institutions consider themselves above the law thereby tarnishing democracy. Can the PTI avoid these minefields? We will have to wait and see.The journey has just started.

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M. asghar

Aug 14, 2018 11:43am

Overall accountability of all the operators of the state institutions is and has to be the basis of rule of law and democracy for the country.

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tahir saleem

Aug 14, 2018 01:15pm

As a nation we need to ADD in our lives, Quaid’s principles of unity, faith, and discipline to become a self-reliant, economically vibrant and a prosperous country.
We must SUBTRACT the hate elements within us as it destroys the basic foundation of the country.
Equitable DIVISION of national resources will create love and harmony among us.
MULTIPLY your prayers for those shaheeds and Ghazis who have sacrificed their blood for the country and which has enabled us to live in a free state with pride and respect

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Shafiq

Aug 14, 2018 01:44pm

@Shahid
I wish you had a look at the early stages of the USA history. The rule-based democracy first the rest follows. If you ignore the rights of the citizens then the democracy is a tall order.
Start from the rule one of a democracy: Every citizen has equal value. Once you understand the basic principle ; the democracy flourishes.

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excalibur

Aug 14, 2018 05:00pm

All rhetoric about a Parliamentary type of democracy is meaning less if local bodies continue to be ignored despite these being the fundamental blocks which completes the parliamentary democracy. Without duly empowered local governments all talk of democracy is pointless.

All discretionary funds and development funds should be withdrawn from MNAs & MPAs leaving them to the task of legislation alone which is their responsibilty

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Vikram - India

Aug 14, 2018 06:53pm

Wishing people of Pakistan a very happy Independence Day. Wish our two countries live in peace and prosperity resolving our differences

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Kris

Aug 14, 2018 07:05pm

Democracy works best when every institution works within its lanes respecting peoples mandate.

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Cawas

Aug 14, 2018 07:23pm

Are we better off now or in the British Raj. We are manipulated now in the same way as we were manipulated by the British. Can't we shred the chain of slavery now and live a free life that we all deserve? This is only possible if our politicians think of only one thing and that is to serve our Pakistan and its people. Like wise the people of this country should stop looking at their leaders as if they are some sort of heroes who can do no wrong. It is this thinking that has given the leaders the right to rob our country at will. It would be a crime if we keep our mouths shut even when we know that the leader of the party we follow is minting money at the cost of the poor people of Pakistan. Bilawal is a young politician with a fresher look in this game. I'm hoping he keeps his head clear of dirty politics . I have all the faith in Imran to do the job well and to support all his good wishful ways and of course stop him if he thinks of himself first and his country and its people last.

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Saleem khan.

Aug 14, 2018 07:32pm

System of democracy in Pakistan faces many hurdles and disadvantages. The system does not meet the key requirements on which it's edifice stands. Education, prosperity and cultural traditions in Pakistan are not improving and stay poor. These conditions render the exercise of voting and its values almost meaningless. Existence and promotion of the dynastic rules especially by the media is not helpful either. Use of I'll gotten money in elections has greatly diminished propensities of the forces of change responsible for making gains in forming a healthy and representative democracy and making Pakistan a modern and progressive society.

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Majeed at Thani

Aug 15, 2018 12:59am

More than democratic rule, the need of the hour is to foster moral and ethical behavior in all matters public and private.

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naim

Aug 15, 2018 04:37pm

This editorial is very bold and pinpoints the roots of trouble in the country's governance. . What most commonly happens is that a prime minister, MNA or MPA, once he gets elected thinks that he has been selected by the public service commission like any other bureaucrat and thus behaves like one ignoring people's aspirations and looking after their own self-interest. Other institutions too continue to loot the public treasury by blackmailing the institutions above them. The solution to this problem would be that either we have a naturally honest, selfless leadership at the top who would devote all their energies to the true enlightenment of the whole nation (which seems highly unlikely), or we have a system that anyone who heads any institution of the country, whether elected, civil, or military, should undergo a rigorous technical and behavioral audit or enquiry at the end of his tenure, which should be strictly fixed and unextendable. Those found guilty of misconduct that shows up as increase in people's difficulties such as bureaucratic corruption, and poverty and illiteracy ratios should be punished by lengthy jail terms.